Page 11 of Praying for Thunder

His dark brows bunched. “You just said lightning.”

“I did?” Her mouth suddenly felt dry.

“Yeah.” He studied her. “You okay?”

Unexpectantly, she felt tired, yet nodded, while peering at the white flooring. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

He went to touch her but remembered it didn’t go well earlier. So, he rested his elbows on the clipboard in his lap. “You want to try this another day?”

“I do,” she replied rapidly, in relief.

Not wanting to see her go, because most don’t come back if chickening out, he said, “No problem. It happens. Just call—”

“I have tomorrow off.”

Hope reignited, he sat up straight. “Oh! I have a full schedule—”

“Of course, you do. I understand—”

“But I could take you at eight. Unless that’s too late for you.”

Her smile stunned him into an unknown world for a young man, having his full attention as she said, “Sometimes my day is just beginning at eight.”

Her Spanish accent she tried to hide, her eyes full of pain all too familiar to him… all of it captured Diablo. “I’ll be hungry.” He shook his head to clear it of his thoughts. “I mean, you like Chinese takeout?”

Anita knew this was no longer only an appointment for a tattoo. She nibbled on her lip, debating whether or not she wanted this. She’d never experienced freeing sex. Nor did she think she would ever want to, but this young man was awakening unknown cravings.

Worried he was scaring her off, Dio teased, “You rather pizza instead?”

She stared at his dimples that promised a kind heart… then dared to let herself experience much-needed affections. “Hot wings and beer.”

His jaw dropped and he grabbed his chest again. “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any hotter.”

Anita was far from naïve about her appearance. She knew she was a striking beauty.

And she hated it.

Her attractiveness wasn’t her friend because it had attracted harsh men she hoped would stay in her past. When not on stage, she did her best to hide her loveliness. Yet, here was this man, seeing through her ball cap that had her luscious locks tucked away, and past her not wearing an ounce of makeup. He saw through her baggy clothes… and still found her true beauty: the heart she kept at bay, from everyone, except me.

His deep brown eyes sparkled at her with an unspoken promise. “Tomorrow night.”

Staring at him, she told me, “Baby, put the toys away.” Then, playfully, she slipped off the big chair, telling Diablo, “You better not disappoint.”

He stood, his 6’ 3” frame gazing down at her petite stature. “Nah, I got all that out of the way today.”

Ani burst into uncontrollable laughter until finally saying, “Glad to hear it.”

Noticing me doing as I was told, Dio was amazed. “Damn, you didn’t have to tell him ten times.” He walked toward me. “What a great kid!” Squatting down in front of me, he caught a glance at what I was drawing. “Oh damn, are those my boots?”

“Yes, sir. Sorry I couldn’t finish them. I’d love to be on your wall.” I pointed behind me.

He blinked his eyes as if trying to break free of thoughts. “Umm…”

Anita hurried, “You don’t have to hang the picture—”

He held up my artwork. “This is extraordinary.” He stared at her from the corner of his eye. “You sure he’s only four?”

She giggled. “I am.”